Tata Steel, a prominent global steel manufacturer, and Welspun Corp, a leading producer of line pipes, have achieved a significant milestone by developing hydrogen-compliant API X65 grade pipes. These pipes have successfully passed all critical sour service and fracture qualification tests for transporting 100% pure gaseous hydrogen at high pressures (100 bar) at RINA, Italy.
With this achievement, Tata Steel becomes the first Indian steel mill to produce hot-rolled steel suitable for transporting gaseous hydrogen, while Welspun Corp is now the first Indian pipe mill to produce Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) pipes for this purpose.
The Green Energy Strategic Partnership between Tata Steel and Welspun Corp was established to evaluate the suitability of various pipes for hydrogen transportation. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s green hydrogen policy.
Prabhat Kumar, Vice President of Marketing & Sales (Flat Products) at Tata Steel, commented, “We are thrilled to reach this milestone with Welspun Corp, as it represents a major advancement in our efforts towards clean energy solutions. This development paves the way for a more robust infrastructure and ecosystem necessary for the widespread adoption of green hydrogen, promoting a transition to a greener, more sustainable future.”
Vipul Mathur, Managing Director & CEO of Welspun Corp Limited (WCL), added, “WCL is focused on enhancing our product portfolio across the Pipe Solutions and Building Materials segments, both in India and globally, while building a future-ready world. Our partnership with Tata Steel helps us jointly promote the use of green hydrogen in everyday life, aligning with our commitment to ESG principles and the Government’s vision for a net-zero economy by 2070.”
The collaboration began in 2022 with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop hydrogen-compliant API grade pipes using the ERW Pipe route. In October 2022, Welspun Corp’s Longitudinal-seam Submerged Arc Welding (LSAW) pipes also passed all qualification tests, confirming their suitability for hydrogen transportation.
Tata Steel is actively contributing to India’s industrial decarbonization goals. The company recently partnered with SMS group to implement Paul Wurth Coke Oven Gas (COG) Injection Technology at their Blast Furnace in Meramandali, Odisha. Last year, Tata Steel conducted a pioneering trial at its Jamshedpur Works, injecting a record quantity of hydrogen gas into a Blast Furnace. Other initiatives include trials of continuous Coal Bed Methane (CBM) injection, operation of a 5-tonnes-per-day (TPD) carbon capture and utilization plant since September 2021, increasing scrap charge in blast furnaces, and efforts to reduce freshwater use, develop sustainable supply chains, and adopt circular economy principles.
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